Andor Recap: The Watchful Galaxy

All that occurs in this show's episode Andor is inevitable. Most of it has been openly and repeatedly discussed in scenes from previous episodes. The rest of it could be easily inferred, even if it comes as a surprise to some of the characters, particularly one who catches a blaster to the head. It is not a shocking twist that the Empire brings mining equipment to Ghorman, prepares for protests that they’re hoping to incite, observes as they boil over, and then push the conflict into deadly violence. That ensuing violence is more terrifying chaos than exciting spy-show action. Cassian and Syril are both caught in the middle, largely unaware of each other until a last-minute collision. The hero who we know is going to escape, escapes. As soon as a familiar line of droid appears on the Imperial side, it’s pretty clear that one of them will wind up forcibly switched over to the rebels. Minus the previously-on and various credits, the whole thing runs about 40 minutes, all told — less than a typical episode of network television.

,

And yet, those 40 minutes boast an unyielding concentration that ranks this episode amongst the finest in the series. Andor , particularly in the area of translating the Star Wars iconography into a more complex world. We’ve seen plenty of Star Wars scenes where a barrage of laser-gunfire streaks across the scene. We’ve seen fewer where this many bodies pile up as a result.

,

Although it may not come as a shock, the series employs these interruptions to disrupt certain characters' meticulously crafted espionage strategies. Just before the conflict escalates significantly, Cassian is busy putting together his sniper rifle with the intention of eliminating Dedra Meero. However, he notices Imperial forces establishing blockades in the square below his hotel room—similarly, Dedra spots mining gear arriving, indicating that the Empire is increasingly disregarding plausible deniability. In fact, they now deem it unnecessary altogether. The Empire desires a pretext to commence extraction operations; they understand that initiating combat will provide them with exactly what they seek, knowing precisely how to escalate tensions. "You appear quite energized," remarks Partagaz when confirming that the Empire is ready to deploy all its resources. Indeed, Dedra seems more agitated than normal, trying hard to maintain composure. This agitation becomes evident towards the end of the episode, though labeling it pure remorse wouldn’t fit entirely. Instead, the deliberate breakdown she experiences due to imperial demands nearly visibly shakes her resolve.

,

Nevertheless, Dedra has shown greater acceptance so far compared to Syril regarding the ethical and practical adjustments needed to advance within the ranks of the Imperial society. While the Ghor march towards the square as part of their demonstration against the Imperial occupation, Syril moves covertly among the protesters, appearing uncertain about how to proceed—a lone individual devoid of allegiance to any group. Rylanz, continuing to advocate for peaceful resistance, intercepts and challenges him; Syril maintains that despite his intentions to "catch outsiders," which suggests he did not intend harm to the local Ghor population, something seems amiss since they were unaware of the incident involving the Ghor’s physical intervention earlier. Feeling exasperated and enraged, Syril ultimately faces off with Dedra over these deceptions and his inadvertent involvement in them, then storms away back onto the street.

,

The main part of this episode involves Cassian and Syril navigating through chaotic city streets where things escalate dramatically after an Imperial sniper, acting under Dedra’s orders, shoots someone to provoke additional unrest, providing justification for the troopers below to start firing. This leads to hundreds of Ghora casualties as stormtroopers patrol the area and release KX-series security droids—resembling monstrous beings—that brutally suppress civilians without discrimination.

,

Cassian has doubts about whether Luthen genuinely cared for the Ghor or merely used it as an excuse. However, he is focused on completing his task and attempts to target Dedra. Meanwhile, Syril, who doggedly chased after Cassian during the previous season, spots him amidst the crowd (following a scene where the camera smoothly transitions between them without their acknowledgment). Despite having previously targeted Dedra, Syril lunges at Cassian, leading to a fierce struggle. Eventually gaining supremacy over Cassian, who lacks weapons, Syril points a firearm at him. In response, Cassian inadvertently shoots back saying, "Who are you?" in evident confusion. He does not recall the individual whom he had once restrained (though he refrained from killing, contrary to Luthen’s insistence). as he escaped Ferrix , whose quest for Cassian led him, through an indirect path aided by Dedra, to achieve enough glory to gain a foothold at the Empire’s doorsteps.

,

The question — probably the fact of it more than the existential nature, though also maybe same difference — gives Syril only the slightest pause, and an even slighter lowering of his weapon. Then Rylanz, from off-camera, shoots him in the head.

,

Because the action stays with Cassian as he escapes (and Will splits off to go after Dreena, his Ghorman Front love), we don’t see any direct mourning for Syril Karn. We can infer from the final shot of his mother Eedy in tears watching the propaganda, lamenting the loss of “Imperial” life, that she either suspects or knows that he’s died; it’s not entirely clear whether that’s part of the private fit Dedra has, tugging and chafing at her impeccable Imperial Outfitting. We don’t see any scenes where anyone is informed that this has happened, and Cassian, of course, barely seems to give it a second thought. Somehow, there’s an element of heartbreak here.

,

A risk associated with portraying fascist figures as relatable humans is diminishing the impact on their victims—accidentally implying, "Indeed, what they did was terrible, yet shouldn't we also consider how complex their lives were?" interesting Than the simple ants beneath their feet? Andor has been able to locate a deep well of sadness within Syril and Dedra; it wouldn’t even be accurate to call them good people caught up on the wrong side, yet that there is humanity underneath their officious, borderline fetishistic admiration of Empire rules and norms that makes their failure as humans seem all the more tragic. And inevitable.

,

Rebel Yells

,

• Cassian finds himself fleeing desperately from a KX-series droid that has him cornered when destiny steps in through the form of a rebel-operated tank. On impulse—perhaps improbable yet undeniably gratifying—he opts to take along the forcibly retired droid known initially as K-2SO, intending possibly to recalibrate it for issuing snappy comebacks.

,

• Love that shot of Dedra staring out into the streets of Ghorman, her reflection mixed with the smoke of the massacre filling the air.

,

• There aren’t many sidebar comments for this episode since everything is crucial to the main storyline. It’s a concise, briskly edited, perfectly timed, and exquisitely filmed approximately 40 minutes of TV. The craftsmanship is evident in nearly every episode. Andor to some degree, but it really comes to the fore here.

,